but the big risk to new york city is the storm surge. water, gushing in from the harbor, over the city's flood wall, pouring into the subway tunnels and roads and underground power transformers, potentially causing billions in damage. >> if it hits at the maximum tide, then i'm afraid we are in pretty bad trouble. >> reporter: last year, during tropical storm irene, the waters came within less than a foot from topping the flood walls. and now, sandy's storm surge is predicted to be even stronger. since irene failed to do the damage here in new york city that many experts predicted, some people, like this family, who live in the evacuation zone, are refusing to heed the warnings for sandy. >> we have diapers, we have water. you know, just hoping to make the best of it. >> reporter: there are long lines at the supermarket tonight. >> it really is a mad house. >> reporter: yeah. >> like, oh, my god. >> reporter: but the streets are crackling not with panic, but with a sort of upbeat, pre-apocalyptic vibe. >> i'm a new yorker. come on, what